Obstructive Sleep Apnoea Syndrome as the Cause of Atypical Depression

Sleep apnoea is a common disorder presenting with somatic comorbidities and psychiatric symptoms. This case report describes a 43-year-old man with an organic depressive disorder due to obstructive sleep apnoea. Initially, an atypical depressive episode or schizophrenic residual syndrome had been considered likely diagnoses; subsequent polysomnography results, however, suggested obstructive sleep apnoea instead. Upon nasal continuous positive airway pressure (nCPAP), the respiratory distress symptoms improved. The case report highlights the association between sleep disturbances and depressive symptoms. In patients presenting with symptoms of atypical depression and excess body weight sleep apnoea should be considered.